The 2024 MSHSAA District playoffs are set to start tomorrow, May 10th, for Classes 1-through-4, with the Class 5 and Class 6 bracket kicking off next week. From now until then, teams across the state will compete for an opportunity to capture a District crown and punch their ticket to Sectionals, and ultimately a spot in Ozark. 

Over the next few days, our staff will be previewing each District for Class 5 and Class 6. Here are the Districts we have previewed so far: 

+ Class 6, District 8
+ Class 6, District 7
+ Class 6, District 6
+ Class 6, District 5
+ Class 6, District 4
+ Class 6, District 3
+ Class 6, District 2
+ Class 6, District 1

Below you’ll learn more about Class 5, District 8 and its outlook with the playoffs set to start next week.

+ Kearney (25-7) has been one of the top seeds in Class 5 this spring and earns the top seed in their District. The Bulldogs won this grouping last year and fell by one run to Webb City in the Sectionals to narrowly miss a spot in Ozark. Several pieces from that group return, however, and the Bulldogs are a proven team on both sides of the ball. Kearney has allowed two or less runs in 13 of their 32 games, and they’ve scored 10+ runs in 10 of those games. Their key wins on the year are over Grain Valley, Platte County, Ozark, and Republic. Riding a 10 game win streak heading into the playoffs, the Bulldogs look every bit the part of one of the top teams in Class 5. 

+ Platte County (18-11) secures the two seed in this District. The Pirates are a young, scrappy, and talented bunch that’s thrown punches with some of the top teams in the Kansas City area throughout the spring. They’ve beaten Lafayette, Grain Valley twice, Lee’s Summit West, Blue Springs, and Blue Springs South, with close losses to Staley and Liberty North. The Pirates have a roster capable of making some noise throughout the playoffs. 

+ Smithville (16-15) and Winnetonka (18-7) are the third and fourth seeds, respectively. The Warriors have a history of being a competitive club consistently, falling in the District championship games in consecutive years. They graduated a handful of key pieces from those two clubs last year, but this year’s club is a scrappy, energetic bunch that’s competed throughout the spring. Winnetonka enters the postseason with 18 wins and the Griffins have picked up wins over everyone in this District except the top-seeded Bulldogs. 

+ William Chrisman (12-16), Lincoln College Prep (15-11), Van Horn (9-16), and East Kansas City (11-3) are the final four seeds in this District. 

CLASS 5, DISTRICT 8 SEEDINGS

Host: Smithville

1. Kearney 
2. Platte County 
3. Smithville
4. Winnetonka 
5. William Chrisman
6. Lincoln College Prep
7. Van Horn
8. East Kansas City 

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